Finklestein,
Thanks for your real world answer to the theories of capitalist libertarians.
Capitalism had it's chance at the turn of the 20th century, when factory workers were paid the bare minimum to work long hours, in terrible conditions. Libertarians say that workers had the right to go elsewhere, but who would choose to transfer from the Titanic to the Lusitania?
There was no elsewhere, and when workers dared to strike for better pay and conditions, they were met with violence and murder (coal miners, for example).
A fast food worker today, cannot provide health care, food, clothing, and housing on $7 to $8 an hour. To those who claim that this is a "training" wage, and will result in an experienced worker moving up the ladder to better pay, the average fast food worker is 29 years old, with 40% being over 24. How do you provide health care to people that cannot pay the premiums, but have no opportunity to find a job that will eoffer health care, or pay enough to afford it?
Ron Paul suggested that charities, churches, and families can take care of this. This was available to everyone at the turn of the 20th century, and yet tens of thousands died because there was more demand than supply.
When capitalism was combined with elements of socialism, life improved. It had no link to the largesse of industry.
Simon. You gave a list of things that you believe aren't socialism. Sorry, but a lot of conservatives would disagree with you. Nice try. You can't cherry pick programs that seem to work, and say that they can't be Socialist because they work.
When you can give examples of societies that succeeded for everyone because they were totally run on capitalist ideals, then you'll have a chance of swaying me. Till then, your ideas are untested theory.